Since our First Listen to the Christmas format at four of the format’s first arrivals, most of the format’s major outlets have arrived, prompting another series of Fresh Listens.
WLTW (106.7 Lite FM) New York, like its previously monitored sister station WNIC Detroit, is the most conservative/traditional/based in ‘60s MOR. The station’s ‘80s CHR jingles and p.m. driver Rich Kaminski keep up the energy.
WBEB (B101) Philadelphia was the most elaborately produced of the three stations I heard with jingles that recalled the Phil Spector Christmas records. It also had the best sweeper, “When you listen to B101, Santa is your co-worker.” (That’s followed by Santa grumbling about changing the toner.)
As it is during the rest of the year, CHFI Toronto is one of the format’s most contemporary outlets. Canada’s Christmas canon—35-40% Canadian Content depending on the station—relies more heavily on recent, non-standards from contemporary artists, something that most American AC PDs would be uncomfortable with, but it’s a refreshing listen.
Here’s Lite FM just before 3 p.m., on Dec. 19:
- Andy Williams, “Happy Holidays/It’s The Holiday Season”
- Vince Guaraldi, “Linus And Lucy”
- Percy Faith, “We Need A Little Christmas”
- Harry Connick, Jr., “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
- Johnny Mathis, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”
- Jackson 5, “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”
- Faith Hill, “Holly Jolly Christmas”
- Bing Crosby, “Frosty The Snowman”
- David Foster, “Carol of the Bells”
- Nat King Cole, “Deck The Hall”
- Barry Manilow, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
- LeAnn Rimes, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
- Frank Sinatra, “The Christmas Song”
- Wham!, “Last Christmas”
- Elvis Presley, “Silver Bells”
- Michael Bublé, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
- Carpenters, “Sleigh Ride”
Here’s WBEB, also from Nov. 19, just before 3 p.m.
- Frank Sinatra, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
- Andy Williams, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
- Glee Cast, “Last Christmas”
- Ray Conniff, “Ring Christmas Bells”
- Band Aid, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
- Michael Bublé, “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”
- Johnny Mathis, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”
- Amy Grant, “Winter Wonderland”
- Jimmy Durante, “Frosty The Snowman”
- David Bowie & Bing Crosby, “Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth”
- Elvis Presley, “Blue Christmas”
- Vince Vance & Valiants, “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
- Chuck Berry, “Run Rudolph Run”
- Gene Autry, “Here Comes Santa Claus”
- Josh Grobin, “O Holy Night”
- John Lennon, “Happy X-Mas/War Is Over”
And here’s CHFI on November 20 just before 3 p.m.
- Jimmy Buffett, “Mele Kalikimaka”
- John Lennon, “Happy Christmas/War Is Over”
- Meghan Smith, “Christmas Time Is Here” (CDN)—the Vince Guaraldi song rocked up to sound like Spector/Mariah Carey
- Frank Sinatra & Cyndi Lauper, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
- Roch Voisine, “Sleigh Ride”
- Meghan Trainor, “I’ll Be Home”
- Mannheim Steamroller, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
- Andee, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (CDN)
- Eagles, “Please Come Home For Christmas”
- Mariah Carey, “Oh Santa”
- Adam Gregory, “Little Drummer Boy” (CDN)
- Paul Young, “What Christmas Means To Me”
- Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (CDN)
- Michael Buble, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”
- Dean Martin, “Christmas Blues”
- Autumn Hill, “It Ain’t Christmas” (CDN)
